Interview with Author – Roxanna Rose

About Roxanna Rose:
Hi, everyone! My name is Roxanna Rose and I write YA. Fascinated by the myths & legends from around the world, I use them as inspiration for my stories. I live in California with my family, writing from my home office and working as a veterinary technician,

What inspires you to write?
I get most of my inspiration from the myths and legends of the world. I love researching the different cultures and learning their stories, after that my imagination takes over and a book is born. Music is another key element in my writing. I use it while I’m writing, but I’ve had songs inspire a story. In fact, sometimes it’s only a few words in a song. Think of my imagination like someone after a quadruple shot of espresso, now multiply that time 100.

Tell us about your writing process.
I am definitely a “pantser” when it comes to my writing style. Usually I will pick a culture and research their myths and legends. As I am reading, my imagination is already kicking into over-drive. Story ideas start popping into my head and I write them all down. I give it a day or two and one will stick with me more than the others. I will begin listening to various types of music while thinking about that particular story idea, writing down any images that come to mind on sticky notes, and soon I have the bones of my rough draft. I use an eclectic selection of music to help me flesh out the story, to put me in a place or time and I even use it to make me feel a certain way.

For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
For me the process is more like watching a movie in my head. When I am in create mode it’s like having a Blu-ray playing and someone else is holding the remote. I see everything vividly in my mind in movie format. It may skip around from scene to scene depending on what music I am listening to or whatever action that starts the movie running, but it is always as clear in my mind as if I was sitting on the couch watching it on the big screen. I keep a notebook with me at all times so I can write down the ideas I get. I found that if I don’t write them down I will forget them, even if they were the most fantastic of ideas. When I’m at my desk fleshing out a story, a love scene for example, I will play a certain song on a loop in order to maintain the emotions as I write that I want my readers to feel.

What advice would you give other writers?
Always keep your pen and notebook handy, always keep your imagination open to anything, to be a good writer you must first be a good reader so read…a lot, if an opportunity presents itself…take it, the universe will open the door for you but you must choose to walk through it, and above all else…never give up.

How did you decide how to publish your books?
I self-publish because I want to maintain control over the quality of work presented to my readers. I don’t use stock photos. I want my covers to be unique so what ever photos or artwork I use is exclusive. You, as a reader, are spending your hard earned money to buy my book. I owe it to you to make certain it is the best quality book that I can produce. I couldn’t do that with a traditionally published book.

What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think that we will see a lot more self-published and hybrid authors. Having more control over your book is such a plus and you can publish so much quicker than the average traditionally published book.

What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers

What genres do you write?: I write YA paranormal/fantasy inspired by the world’s myths and legends.